Derby-winning jockey Dwyer hoping to ride at National meeting

Derby-winning jockey Martin Dwyer hopes to pay tribute to his late father by getting his jumps licence and riding at Aintree's Randox Health Grand National meeting in April.

Dwyer, who won the 2006 Derby on Sir Percy, has only ever ridden on the Flat, but wants to partner the Iain Jardine-trained Loud And Clear as the six-year-old is owned by close friends of himself and his father, Martin snr, who died in January.

"Hopefully the BHA will give me a licence," Dwyer said. "It's friends of mine and my dad who own the horse so it would be a nice thing to do. It'd be nice to take part and riding at Aintree would be great."

Dwyer, an avid Everton supporter, would love the chance to ride at his local track, and added: "I remember when I was a kid me and dad would watch the helicopters coming in and landing and watch people coming to the races."

Dwyer has struck up a good relationship with trainer Jardine, riding five winners for him from 12 rides last year, and could have a chance of adding to that with Loud And Clear.

He has won two of his four bumper starts, most recently at Ayr, and Dwyer said: "He looks like a decent horse, Iain is a brilliant trainer over both codes and they really like this horse, they think he's got a big future."

Dwyer is aiming to be back in the saddle next week after suffering a fall at Newcastle last week.

"It's nothing serious, I got a bit of whiplash injury in my neck but I'm getting some treatment at Oaksey House and I'll be all right," he said.

I remember when I was a kid me and dad would watch the helicopters coming in and landing and watch people coming to the races